Violence mars campaign in Ujungpandang, 11 hurt

JAKARTA (JP): Peace held out Tuesday during rallies in the Maluku and East Timor, where hundreds died in recent conflicts, during a round of barnstorming by Megawati Soekarnoputri, but violence marred campaigning in Ujungpandang, South Sulawesi.

In Ujungpandang, at least 11 were injured and 16 homes of Golkar supporters were destroyed during a clash involving supporters of the National Mandate Party (PAN), Golkar, the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) and students of the Indonesian Muslim University (UMI).

The unrest, which until the evening, erupted following the last round of campaigning of PDI Perjuangan.

Party supporters told The Jakarta Post that the clash between supporters of PAN and PDI Perjuangan with Golkar was revenge for the latter's earlier attacks on their party offices. Last week Golkar supporters also used the reason of revenge for justifying attacks on the offices.

Tuesday's clash between students and PDI Perjuangan supporters was triggered by messages on banners erected in front of the UMI campus on Jl. Urip Sumoharjo which read: "Those who choose a woman for their leader will not be blessed," and "Do not defy the Koran and Hadis (Prophet Muhammad's sayings) only for the choice of a woman as president."

PDI Perjuangan believes the issue of gender is being used to belittle the presidential aspirations of its chairwoman Megawati.

PDI Perjuangan supporters returning from a rally at Mattoanging stadium began to tear up the banners before students chased them away. Students then blocked the road and checked passing vehicles for PDI Perjuangan supporters.

"This is a deep insult to us," a sobbing student said. Students also pulled down and burned PDI Perjuangan flags. Hundreds of the party's supporters subsequently tried to enter the campus after their street rallies, but were blocked by security personnel.

Three Golkar supporters, three PDI Perjuangan supporters and two residents were rushed to two local hospitals, mostly for wounds from stones and spears. Two vehicles were destroyed.

Wirabuana Military Commander Maj.Gen. Suaidi Marasabessy said all sides should keep themselves in check and that the official Supervisory Election Committee should act firmly against all political parties involved in violating election rules.

PAN and PDI Perjuangan supporters destroyed 16 homes and vandalizing Golkar posts, witnesses said.

The official residence of the legislative speaker here, Amin Syam, who also is Golkar provincial chairman, was attacked and Golkar's office was surrounded.

In contrast, calm persisted in Dili as Megawati arrived shortly before 9:30 a.m. to a welcome from 5,000 supporters. She took a bus to the Municipal Stadium which was crammed with 10,000 supporters garbed in the party's color of red.

Flanked by an entourage including former Udayana military commander Theo Syafei, Megawati spoke for about 10 minutes. She said the East Timorese "should have a big heart in participating in the direct ballot (to determine East Timor's future) peacefully".

The statement was a shift from her initial outright rejection of the possibility of East Timor's separation from Indonesia though she asked people to "develop with Indonesia." Locals praised Megawati for her concern for the "small people" and her close ties to Dili Bishop Carlos Filipe Ximenes Belo.

Security measures in East Timor were indicated by the occupation of prointegration faction posts by police since Monday. Party supporters from regions were free to travel to Dili.

Megawati met the bishop for 10 minutes during which Belo said they discussed locals' participation in the June 7 polls and in the direct ballot. "We asked that PDI Perjuangan help to enforce the law in East Timor," he said.

Later in Ambon, Megawati addressed about 25,000 people for only three minutes. Her delegated time was used up by the four- hour trip from Pattimura Airport 40 kilometers away after her convoy was made to stop at every village. Residents had demanded that she travel by road instead of helicopter as planned. Residents in Muslim-dominated areas also greeted her. The party locally is associated with Christians.

However, party supporters disrupted a meeting of Golkar, considered their main rival in the area. Supporters of Muslim parties, who are migrants, have fled in the thousands after at least 300 were killed in religious clashes since January.

In Purwokerto, Central Java, a campaign of the National Awakening Party (PKB) saw some 100,000 supporters flocking the town from various areas. Congestion continued from morning to late afternoon but rallies were peaceful. Dangdut star Mega Mustika was among the attractions.

In Surabaya, Golkar finally saw a lively campaign after three quiet rounds. Some 1,000 supporters packed the Youth Hall. But a group of young people with Golkar flags came in a pick-up bringing a bouquet expressing "condolences for the death of the Golkar Party." It was placed at a nearby intersection.

Attendants were mostly high school students who are on holiday. A few said they were paid Rp 20,000 to Rp 50,000 each.

In Jakarta, National Awakening Party (PKB) secretary-general Muhaimin Iskandar told at least 15,000 supporters not to choose the United Development Party (PPP), the Golkar Party and the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) led by Budi Harjono, saying the parties were founded by the New Order regime. (30/27/48/33/30/anr/jun/ind/45/nur)